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Majrooh Sultanpuri

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Majrooh Sultanpuri was a legendary Indian Urdu poet and film lyricist.

Majrooh Sultanpuri 2013 stamp of India
Majrooh Sultanpuri 2013 stamp of India

He was a dominant musical force in Indian cinema during the 1950s and early 1960s. Beyond the film industry, he was a vital member of the Progressive Writers' Movement. This group sought to use literature to address social issues. He is also celebrated as one of the finest avant-garde Urdu poets of the 20th century. His work bridged the gap between high literature and popular culture.

His path to becoming a poet was quite unexpected. Born Asrar ul Hassan Khan in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, he followed a traditional education. He completed a seven-year Dars-e-Nizami course. This curriculum focused on religious studies and proficiency in Arabic and Persian. He also earned a certificate as an Alim, a scholar. Later, he studied Unani medicine, a traditional healing system, at Takmeel-ut-Tib College. He actually began his career as a struggling Hakim, or traditional doctor.

A turning point occurred during a mushaira, a public poetry recital. While reciting a ghazal, a form of lyrical poem, he captured the audience's heart. The success of his recitation convinced him to abandon medicine. He decided to pursue poetry as a serious profession. He soon became a disciple, or shagird, of the famous poet Jigar Moradabadi. This mentorship helped him establish himself within the competitive world of Urdu poetry.

Majrooh's entry into the film industry required overcoming his own hesitation. In 1945, he visited Bombay to attend a mushaira at the Saboo Siddique Institute. Producer A.R. Kardar was impressed by his work and sought his help. Initially, Majrooh refused to write for films because he did not value them highly. His friend Jigar Moradabadi persuaded him to accept the work to support his family. To prove his skill, composer Naushad gave him a musical test. Majrooh had to write lyrics that matched a specific metre, or rhythmic pattern. He succeeded with the song "Jab Usne Gesu Bikhraye," leading to his first film credit in Shah Jehan (1946).

His career was marked by both immense success and political struggle. Majrooh held strong leftist political leanings, which led to conflict with the government. In 1949, he was sentenced to two years in prison for writing politically charged poems. He was arrested during a period of nationwide arrests of communists. Even after serving his sentence, he had to rebuild his film career. He was arrested again in 1951 for a poem comparing Jawaharlal Nehru to Hitler. Despite these challenges, his talent remained undeniable as he worked with many famous music directors.

Over six decades, Majrooh collaborated with a vast array of musical talent. He worked with directors like Naushad, O. P. Nayyar, and R. D. Burman. In the 1980s and 1990s, he frequently collaborated with the duo Anand–Milind. They worked together on notable films such as Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and Love. He also wrote for Jatin-Lalit on the film Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander. His ability to adapt to different musical styles made him a staple of the industry.

Majrooh's contributions earned him the highest honors in the arts. In 1965, he won the Filmfare Best Lyricist Award for the song "Chahunga Main Tujhe" from the film Dosti. In 1993, he received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for lifetime achievement. This was a historic moment, as he was the first lyricist to win this prestigious honor. He passed away in Mumbai on May 24, 2000, at the age of 80. His final film work, One 2 Ka 4, was released posthumously in 2001.

His legacy lives on through his profound literary contributions. He is remembered for creating some of the most famous verses in Urdu poetry. One such verse describes a person starting a journey alone and eventually forming a caravan. This imagery reflects his deep understanding of human connection and social movement. He remains a symbol of how art can serve both the individual soul and the broader community.

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